Receptacle for mail or the like.



L. GIGLAS. RBGBPTAGLE FOR MAIL OR THE LIKE.

- APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24 1914- Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

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I 972447444; 61mm; o

THE NORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTC-LITHO.v WASHINGION, D. C,

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LOUIS GIGILAS, 0F ROSSLYN, VIRGINIA.

RECEPTACLE FOR MAIL OR THE LIKE.

insects.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. i6, il ilfi.

Application fi1ed=February 24, 1914. Serial No. 820,630.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Louis GIoLAs, citizen of the United States, residing at Rosslyn, in the county of Alexandria and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Receptacles for Mail or the like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to boxes or receptacles susceptible of a wide range of uses, but more especially adapted for the reception of mail and the like, and adapted to be positioned at the door or window opening of a house, and to be readily applied in position and removed.

The invention has reference to that type of boxes adapted to be applied to the door or window frame, and having an inlet opening, whereby to receive from the outside of the door or window, mail or the like, and having a discharge opening, normally closed from access to the exterior of the door or window. In this connection, the improved type of box is of a character that the discharge opening thereof is normally closed by the door or window, when the latter is in closed position, whereby the discharge opening will be unobstructed by and upon the opening of the door or window.

The invention includes a novel construction of receptacle, cheap to produce, strong and durable, eflicient for the purpose used, and simple in design, while attractive in appearance.

The invention further embodies means whereby the mail or the like is readily inserted into and removed from the receptacle, and means for protecting the contents of the box, against moisture, etc.

A further feature of the invention embodies novel means of connection between the receptacle and the supporting frame, such as a door or window frame, said means being of a character to permit the box to be readily removed from its supporting frame, as desired, and firmly hold the same in position on the frame, when applied.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for firmly supporting the receptacle in position on a desk or the like, when removed, from its supporting frame, to the end that the normally open back of the receptacle will be positioned uppermost,

the receptacle with the contents thereof.

Still further improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of parts will be appreciated from the description to follow, which, for a clear understanding of the invention, should be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed, for the purpose of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved receptacle, applied in position on a door frame, though it is to be borne in mind, in this connection, that the receptacle is equally applicable to Window frames; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same; Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same, showing the position of a deposited envelop; Fig. 4: is a back view of the receptacle removed; Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the trough shaped closure member, and Fig. 6 'is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 5.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, I have shown the receptacle as applied to a door frame, with the understanding that the same is readily applicable in other connections, as to a window frame and in either event, as will appear from the description to follow, either a swinging or sliding door or window, when in closed position, is preferably utilized as the closing medium for the discharge opening of the receptacle.

The door frame, a section of which is shown at 1, is provided with the usual jamb or abutment 2 to be contacted with the movable door, a section of which is shown at 3. The receptacle proper adapted to receive mail or other articles, is provided with a top f inclining downwardly toward the closed front 5 thereof, which latter connects with a bottom 6 inclining downwardly toward the rear open end of the receptacle. The inner side 7 of the receptacle preferably extends parallel with the surface of the door jamb 2 whereas the outer side 7 thereof inclines outwardly from its; closed front; end to the vent the entrance thereof into the slot 8.-

The receptacle is preferably formed from sheet metal, and the inner side thereof has an outwardly projecting flange'9, at the rear. edge thereof adapted to overlie the rabbet of the door jamb 2 when the receptacle. is in position on the door frame. As a means for securingthe receptacle-in position on the door'frame, I preferably provide intheside 7 of the receptacle adjacent-its rear edge, suitable securing means, one pref-v erably adjacent-each end of the side 7, and a description of onewill suflice for the other.

10 is a slot extending from a point adjacent the .rear edge .of the-side toward the front, at a downward inclination and terminating in an enlarged part 11 adapted to readily pass over the headed screw bolt or the.like-12,thestem of theboltbeing adaptedto loosely ride in. the slot 10 and theheadedend .thereof to overlie the wall surrounding the ;slot, so that .when the receptacle is in position withfth'e bolts 12 in engagement with the slots, the receptacle is forcedoutwardly anddownwardly to the end that the flange: 9 thereofwill be wedged into contact with the edge of the door jamb 2, and will be maintained in this position until. it is desired to remove the same. edges of the receptacle other than the one having the flange 9 are preferably bent in the form of beads 13 and these edges which surround the open back of the receptacle provide a smooth edgeto contact with the door 3 when the latter is in closed position. The door entirely closes the open back of the receptacle, as is obvious.

Arranged on the tapered side of the receptacle and preferably pivoted thereto adjacent the rear edge thereof are one or more arms 14, adapted, when-swung outwardly, to form the clips for the reception of newspapers and the like. Also, in this same connection and when it is desired to remove the receptacle, the arms 1-1 when swung outwardly will constitute feet or supports cooperating with the closed back 5 of the receptacle to support the same in position on a desk or the like with the open back uppermost. 7

It is desirable to protect the contents of the box against damage by moist1're,.etc.,

The

and with this in view the mail receiving slot 8 is preferably formed by striking up the wall surrounding the slot to provide flanges 1.5, and arranged to contact with said flanges is a trough-shaped closure member 16, said member being adapted to swing from a closing to an open position upon the insertion of the mail, and automatically close by the disengagement of the mail therewith.

The supporting means for the U-shaped member is preferably made up as follows: 17 is a rod, conveniently wire, having oilset parts 18 secured as by solder, to one edge of the trough-shaped member adjacent the ends thereof, the terminals of the rod projecting beyond the ends of the trough shaped member 16 and loosely mounted in eye parts 19 projecting from the under surface of the top 4t. Sleeved upon the rod 17 intermediate its ends is a suitable coil spring 20 connected at one end 21 to the under surface of the trough-shaped member 16, and at its opposite end 22 to the under surface of the top ft whereby to exert upward. pressure on the trough-shaped member 16 at all times and maintain the same in con tact with the flanges 15 except when disengaged therefrom for the insertion of the mail. The trough-shaped member 16 inclining in the general direction of the top 1 and being 'open at its end will conduct any water to the front end wall 5 of the receptacle, downwardly, over which the water will flow to the base of the receptacle and finds an exit to the exterior thereof through the opening 23 provided by an upset'wall 24 of the bottom. The opposite wall 24: conveniently projects from side to side of'the receptacle, whereby to prevent the water flowing down over the bottom (3 into contact with the lower edge of the mail.

The operation of the-device may be reviewed as follows: The receptacle being light'and portable, is adapted to be readily applied and removed without tools to the door or window frame, it being the usual custom to place the same in position on the frame during the delivery hours. The bolt and slot connection between the side of the frame and the side of the receptacle will maintain the flange in close contact with the edge of the jamb, whereby the same will not interfere with the closing movement of the door, and when the door is closed, the receptacle will be firmly fixed in position, and can only be removed after the door is open. Because of the inclination of the top 4 of the receptacle, the mailman may readily insert the mail through the slot 8 when the same will fall down into the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. So soon as the door is opened, because of the inclination of the bottom 6 the mail will tilt on its end, thereby projecting the upper end of the mail slightly out of the open back of the receptacle whereby it will be readily seen, and whereby the same may be readily grasped and removed from the receptacle. The tapered side 7 of the receptacle not only assists in the extraction of the mail, but is also of advantage in shipping and storing a plurality of the receptacles in close nested arrangement. The spring arms 14 when not in use may be swung down into overlapping position substantially parallel with the rear edge of the receptacle. When desired to utilize the same as clips or supports for newspapers, they are swung outwardly into a position, substantially at right angles to said inner edge of the receptacle. When it is desired to remove the box, it is simply necessary to open the door, when the box may he slid inwardly, the bolts 12 readily sliding along the slots until the headed ends thereof register with the enlarged portions 11 of said slots, when the receptacle may be removed therefrom, and carried to a desk or suitable support within the house. At this time, the arms 14 are swung outwardly to a point where the ends thereof will be in substantial alinement with the end 5 of the box, and will cooperate with said end 5 to form a support, whereby to position the open back of the box uppermost. When in position on a desk or the like, the receptacle is a convenient place of deposit and will largely take the place of the usual desk mail basket. contemplated to make the boxes ornamental, whereby they will not detract from the appearance of the door finishings of the house,

and whereby when in place on the desk, the

same will present a neat appearance.

The contents of the receptacle are protected against the entrance of water by reason of the peculiar formation of slot 8, trough 16, and outlet aperture 23, any water passing into the trough being deflected thereby to the front surface 5 of the receptacle and thence outwardly through the slot or opening 23, the flange 2d preventing any water flowing down the inclined bot tom 6.

I claim 1. A box for mail or the like, comprising a top and bottom, a vertically extending front wall, and side walls connecting with the top, bottom and front walls, said box having an open back, the bottom wall inclining downwardly toward the open back whereby to project the upper portion of the mail beyond the edge of the open back, and the box having a receiving opening at the top thereof.

2. A box for mail or the like, comprising an inclined top and bottom, a vertically extending front wall, and side walls connecting with the top, bottom and front walls, said box having an open back, one of the side walls and the bottom walls both inclin- In this same connection, it is ing outwardly toward the open back, and the box having a receiving opening in its top.

3. A box for mail or the like, comprising a top and bottom, a vertically extending front wall, and side walls connecting with the top, bottom and front walls, said box having an open back, one of the side walls inclining outwardly toward the open back, the box having a receiving opening in its top, and means projecting from said inclined side to cooperate with the front wall to support the box with the open side uppermost.

4. A receptacle for mail or the like having a front wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall with a receiving opening, the receptacle having an open back and closed sides, one side being relatively inclined in an outward direction toward the open back, means for supporting the receptacle in an upright position on a wall or the like, and means cooperating with the front wall of the receptacle to engage a surface and position the open back of the receptacle uppermost.

5. A receptacle for mail or the like hav ing a front wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall with a receiving opening, the receptacle having an open back and closed sides,

and means on one side of the receptacle to support a paper or the like, said means also constituting separate leg supports adjacent opposite ends of the box to maintain the receptacle in position on a desk or the like with its open back uppermost.

6. In a receptacle of the character described the combination of a top wall inclining toward one face thereof and having an elongated longitudinally extending slot, and a pivotally mounted trough-shaped closure for the slot on the inner surface of said inclined wall adapted to carry water or the like to said face of the receptacle.

7 In a receptacle of the character described the combination of a top wall inclining toward one face thereof and having an elongated longitudinally extending slot, and a pivotally mounted trough-shaped closure for the slot on the outer surface of said inclined wall adapted to carry water or the like to said face of the receptacle, said clo .sure being normally spring held in closed position.

8. In a portable mail box, the combination of a metal body having oppositely disposed sides separated from one another at their rear edge to provide a discharge opening, a front wall connecting said sides, and top and bottom walls also connecting the said sides, and means for removably positioning the receptacle upon a door frame or the like whereby when the door is closed the latter constitutes a closure for the box, the said means comprising a laterally projecting flange on one of the sides of the box adjacent the open face thereof, and locking means for holding the flange in tight contact with the edge of a rabbet or flange on the door frame including inclined slotted ways on the flanged side of the box, and bolts passing through said slots to engage the flange on the door frame.

9. In a portable mail box, the combination of a metal body having oppositely disposed sides separated from one another at their rear edge to provide a discharge opening, a front Wall connecting said sides, and top and bottom walls also connecting the said sides, and means for removably positioning the receptacle upon a door frame or the like whereby When the door is closed the latter constitutes a closure for the boX, the said means comprising a laterally projeeting flange on one of the sides of the box adjacent the open face thereof, and locking means for holding the flange in tight contact with the edge of a rabbet or flange on the door frame, including inclined slotted ways on the flange side of the box, and bolts passing through said slots to engage the a Copies of this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

